Malaysia & Christian Persecution

QUICK FACTS

Leader: Prime Minister Najib Razak
Government: Constitutional monarchy

Population: 30.6 million (2.9 million Christians)
Main Religion: Islam

Persecution Level: Moderate
Source of persecution: Islamic extremism

OVERVIEW OF MALAYSIA

Observers of the country talk about a quick Islamization. Additionally, according to the government, Malay ethnicity is seen as being Muslim. The highest pressure is put on Christian converts from Islam. They not only face the risk of being divorced, losing their children's custody rights and inheritance rights, but families will take every means to bring the convert back to the "right" faith. This may start with isolation and pressure to recant the Christian faith, but often will end in a re-education center. It is almost impossible for a Malay Muslim to convert to Christianity.

PRAYER POINTS

That God continues to strengthen Christians in the face of growing restrictions, including plans to put Sharia courts on an equal footing with civil courts
For Prime Minister Razak to be more tolerant towards the small Christian minority
That the forced closing of churches will not continue in 2015